Why Did You Wear That | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: Cocktail Hour

By Kirsten|December 31st, 2013|Why Did You Wear That?|

The one garnish certain to undoubtedly make a drink that much more chic with each clink of the glass is one that you bring to the party yourself. No, you aren’t going to tote a jar of bleu cheese stuffed olives in your Prada to the next party. This garnish is right at your fingertips… well, really just your fingers. The fastest way to add extra bling is by slipping on a cocktail ring while sipping on a cocktail or two. Originally made popular during the prohibition era as a kind of flamboyant “eff you”, the cocktail ring later became popular with single ladies who wore giant jewels on their right ring fingers as a sign of independence. Being a woman looking forward to planting a kiss on no one other than her pooch this year, I like the idea of a cocktail ring in that context. But whether you’re single or attached, there’s nothing wrong with adding an extra rock for cocktail hour.

1. Bijoux Heart La Terr D’Or Gold Plated Swarovski Crystal Ring, 2. Elizabeth and James Northern Star Cabochon Ring, 3. IPPOLITA Mother of Pearl Clear Quartz and Sterling Ring, 4. Gemma Redux Mood Ring, 5. Vanessa Mooney The Purple Haze Ring, 6. Anita Ko 18 Karat Gold Diamond Ring, 7. Kelly Wearstler Myra Ring, 8. Scott Kay Recessed Cross Ring, 9. Maison Martin Margiela Double Faux Diamond Ring, 10. AERIN Erickson Beamon Gemstone Cocktail Ring, 11. Alexis Bittar Mirrored Citrine Ring, 12. Gurhan Pandora Hammered 24 Karat Gold Amethyst Ring, 13. Monserat De Lucca Drunk Sober Ring, 14. Jade Jagger Diamond Disco Ball Ring, 15. Jacquie Aiche Moonstone Diamond and 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring, 16. Lanvin Borneo Gunmetal Tone Swarovski Crystal Ring

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Auld Lang Syne

By Kirsten|December 30th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

Bad news? It’s Monday. Good news? It’s the last Monday you will have to slog through in 2013. I have mixed emotions when it comes to New Year’s Eve- mostly because of the pressure that people put on one night (the last night) of the year. In my personal/professional experience, the more weight put on the night, the more disappointing it usually turns out to be. Pretty sure FOMO reaches its peak every year on this day. I actually can’t recall the last December 31st that was drama free and TV movie perfect- although I did spend last year in West Virginia with my mom in a vintage sweatshirt jumpsuit and a crown. That was pretty fabulous. If you’re looking for a foolproof recipe for a festive NYE, try this: something sparkly + something bubbly+ people you love = a happy new year.

Deepa Gurnani Draped Hair Clip, B-Low The Belt Vanity Belt, Agent Provocateur Zonia Sequined Bikini Briefs, Jimmy Choo Fedora Paillette Trimmed Sateen and Mirrored Leather Sandal

Worst case? There’s always next year.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You WearThat: The Best pLaid Plans

By Kirsten|December 29th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Mixing patterns is tough enough, but would one dare to mix plaid on plaid on plaid? I would. Especially since I’ve begun to run out of options in my suitcase and I’ve either gotten incredibly creative or undeniably delusional. Perhaps both.

I can’t count the number of times in the last month when my father has asked, “That’s what you’re wearing?” Well, yes, dad, it is. It’s more evident than ever that my father raised two wild wolves as sons and I had the pleasure of being pampered by my very feminine mother. He thought I was kidding when I told him a pedicure was a near emergency yesterday and pretty much laughed in my face when I told him I was going to need to go shopping for an evening specific outfit for New Year’s Eve. He’s a dude’s dude and I’m slowly breaking him back into what it means to have a woman around. Poor guy.

Needless to say, he gets a kick out of being my personal paparazzi and has been nothing less than accommodating. I had originally scouted a location to shoot close to his house where the leaves had just begun to fall in the most magnificent display of ombre glory. The deepest shades of red to the warmest yellow, it was a Pantone wet dream. However, I waited a day or two before scheduling the shoot and by the time we headed out, someone with a leafblower and disdain for mother nature had ruined my set. A true lesson that there is no time like the present. Being a good sport, Dick, Smitty, and I hopped in the car to look for new location inspiration. Just as we were about to call it a day- and a loss- we passed the Spreckels Post Office which is nestled next to the Spreckels Emporium emblazoned with an old fashioned Coca Cola ad. It’s like stepping back in time. I asked Dick to stop and we proceeded to shoot and see what we came up with…

hat: H&M, scarf: PerryEllis (similar here), flannel shirt: Wrangler (similar here), t-shirt: American Apparel, slip: (similar here), tights: who knows? (similar here), boots: Dolce Vita, bag: Amrita Singh, jacket: Andrew Marc (similar here)

And yes, dad, my tights are shredded, but that’s life. You’ve gotta embrace the snags.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Hot Under the Collar

By Kirsten|December 27th, 2013|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

One of the most noteworthy numbers sent down this Fall ’13’s runways was the plaid Peter Pan collared frock from Saint Laurent. Encapsulating just enough of the 90’s grunge while maintaining the sweetness of a babydoll silhouette, this dress becomes a classic contradiction. Valentino and Louis Vuitton also sent very similar styles down the catwalk. A perfect day to night dress that will transition effortlessly from cubicle to club by trading in flat boots for spiky Mary-Janes or strappy pumps, letting your hair loose and cranking up the smokey eye. A perfect perfect mixture of sugar and spice- ain’t that nice?

1. Alice + Olivia Courtnee Combo Cuff Dress, 2. RED Valentino Polka Dot Peter Pan Collar Dress, 3. Sea Combo Silk Dress, 4. Victoria Beckham Peter Pan Collar Ottoman Mini Dress, 5. Cooperative Contrast Collar Babydoll Dress, 6.Motel Narla Cross-Back Dress, 7. Maje Eponyme Chiffon Paneled Stretch Jersey Mini Dress, 8. Charles Henry Collared Colorblock Dress, 9. One & Only x Urban Renewal Collared Babydoll Dress, 10. Elkin Noon Dress

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did or Why Don’t: Back(pack) for More

By Kirsten|December 26th, 2013|Why Did or Why Don't?|

Every girl needs a bag within which she can lug around all kinds of things that a man would never fathom being necessary on a day to day basis. We stow little items that may very well come in handy when handling an unaccounted for crisis. You call them frivolous, we say functional. It is the Girl Scout motto afterall, “Always be prepared.”

And with this 90’s resurgence it’s no wonder we are revisiting the backpack bonanza from last year. This time, however, it seems just about every designer that’s ever played in the handbag arena has thrown his/her pack in the ring. From Mr. Wang to MK and Ashley, there are backpacks crafted from studded leather to luxe leopard. Take your pack—er, pick. But will you be partaking in this trend? Or is it something we should leave back in social studies class?

On the upside: they do look pretty cute and who doesn’t want yet another chance to channel Cher Horowitz? It’s also great to just fling that baby on your shoulders and continue making overly dramatic hand gestures in conversation without that pesky handbag getting in the way. However, have you ever tried retrieving something from your stylish sack while it’s still in place on your back? Awkward. Trust me, you won’t be going for your iPhone nearly as often(which, could be another one to add to the upside). And along with looking like the teenage freak that you once were while trying to fetch a stick of Big Red from your satchel, backpacks pose as open invitations to pickpocketers, especially in a city like New York.

1. Elizabeth and James Abstract Animal Print Calf Hair Sling Backpack, 2. Alexander McQueen Studded Leather Backpack, 3.Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Mariska Backpack, 4. Stella McCartney Shaggy Deer Falbella Backpack, 5. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Stamped Leather Backpack, 6. Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Backpack, 7. Rebecca Minkoff Selena Backpack, 8. MCM Stark Allover Stud Med Backpack, 9. Christopher Kane Crackle Leather and Macramé Backpack, 10. Alexander Wang Prisma Cracked Skeletal Backpack